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.. so to speak. Alliances are basic human instincts. I am sure that the hairy fellas who lived in caves banded together to take on the Mammoth and protect themselves from Ol’ Sabre Tooth Tigger.Keeping it in the family is surely good and acceptable practice?In Wikipedia, nepotism is categorised as political corruption, along with cronyism and simony.The word nepotism comes from the Latin word ‘nepos’, meaning “nephew”. In the Middle Ages, some Catholicpopes and bishops, who had taken vows of chastity, raised their illegitimate sons as “nephews” and gave them preferences. Governments are particularly susceptible to accusations of cronyism as they spend public money. Many democratic governments are encouraged to have transparency in their accounting and contracting processes. However, there is often no clear line to denote when an appointment constitutes “cronyism.” Simony is the ecclesiastical crime and personal sin of paying for offices or positions, named after Simon Magus who offerred the disciples of Jesus payment for the power to perform miracles.My squeal, ‘cos that’s what it is, is about my son who has been a victim of political corruption. He was by far the best bowler of his age group at the local cricket club: he had 5 x 5 wicket hauls in 10 matches; he was also Most Valuable Player last season. But …. he wasn’t selected to represent the age group team, nor was he given any recognition by the club. I have surmised the reason to be that he didn’t go to the school where the selectors coach, nor the Academy where 1 of those coaches is employed.On receipt of my complaint, the club mumbled ” … more transparency in future…”. My point is this: Me ‘n you must hold any community or national representative organisation to transparencyall the time!! That is the only way to keep democracy alive. The rules must be:

Tell us what you’re gonna do

How you’re gonna do it

Then do it like that

If you don’t, you get fired, just like Nixon.This applies to your club, your church, your schools – everywhere you have a connection.Cry “Ahem” .. and let slip the guard dogs of democracy!!

…you may know the legend of the Flying Dutchman: doomed to sail the seas forever … unable to land anywhere … (he shot an albatross or something, so probably deserves his plight)I still grapple (not so hard these days, I admit) with thoughts about who I am and where do I belong.I have been a citizen of 5 countries. The country where I was born, the country of my citizenship at birth and the country where at least 7 generations of my direct ancestors, (including my parents) were born, ALL refused to give me citizenship! I have never shot an albatross, am not insane (noticeably) nor have I criminal convictions or ever been insolvent. I have a university degree, my own house & only 1 family.There are floods of refugees from the north into South Africa and from there to other countries in & out of Africa. There are also floods of people to other countries, like North Africans to France, Turks to Germany, Indians & Chinese to anywhere. (This is beginning to take a race tinged rant – it was not meant to be! )

What my point is: politics define & label citizenship, the heart defines belonging – I guess I belong to the world ….. or the world belongs to me! (Certainly the Springboks don’t stir me much anymore ..nor do the All Blacks or the Irish).My planned visit to my birth country should shake up some thoughts… do I have to belong? I am distressed at the horrors that have been perpertrated in the name of Patriotism & GodI think politicians need to be saints & matyrs to avoid Hell! If not they should be sent to join the Flying Dutchman!

Thoughts generated by ackerman’s friend vortigern, commenting on the savage retaliation of Israel against the Hizbollah in Lebanon, which included killing civilians, as well as the terrorist bombings in Mumbai, Madrid, London etc targetting civilians.

Basic instinct when faced by threat is fight or flight or submit: The strong protect their community by attacking the threat using appropriate means to remove it. The US reaction may be a bit too prolonged & extended to be justified for much longer – but their enemy is the faceless evil of anonymous evildoers who have no value on human life as potential sacrifice to their specific ends.The Israeli reaction is quick & brutal like a scorpion’s tail. It says “don’t mess with me”. Sadly, civilians get killed. The policeman must be big & strong & quick to react to protect the community – people will get hurt on occasion, that must not stop the protective reaction. The difference is that civilians are not the target! Evil needs to be captured and controlled before attempts are made to find out why they are evil & later seek ways to rehabilitate.That is the law of the Jungle -from whence Man came & doesn’t really stay too far away.

Been away for a while ….. I think suffering from a slight resurgence of the ‘mediocrities’ … just go with the flow Joe, can’t be bothered, unmoved, don’t stray from the TV type of mild depression – no light on the horison. I maintained silly sock discipline but was not active in spreading the word …. (shocking but true!)
But the sun has peeped through, I must have walked through the same park as ABE did & seen the smiles & good people. Anyway spring is nearly here & I am planning to re-visit my home country & isn’t the World Cup wonderful! I pray evil does not seek an opportunity there …

Quirks & whimsy, smiles & waves, simple inoffensive silliness with a serious streak, just to maintain a bare minimum of intellectual challenge that’s the philosophy.
As the main mouthpiece of the movement, I suppose its pronouncements are tinged by my faintly conservative, religious slant…. (I hasten to add that I do not like George Bush, Robert Mugabe or Helen Clarke, I do like John Howard, Nelson Mandela & Benedict)
I predict that the All Blacks will win the Rugby World Cup …

. The expression of vague emotions, thoughts, beliefs & ideas is not easy & the written form is usually some distance from the original thought.
I have recently been pursued by a tension relating to a hankering for a clear identity. Tension created by familiar discomfort. My siblings and their extended families are in Africa. I and my family are in the South Pacific. When the world is called to war, who do I side with? When I die where do I wish my dust to feed roses? When my daughter marries, where should it be?
I know what I want to be – I want to be an African, but how can I be if I live in the South Pacific? I’m just not brave enough to do the reverse migration bit – it was harrowing getting here! I can easily respect the flag & laws of my adopted country – any way Africa is a matter of geography & emotion, not political affiliation. Perhaps it is a matter of which language you spoke first. I spoke Swazi.
Mind you I am also an Irish citizen and feel quite Irish (wish I had a brogue). Well, the African diaspora begins to resemble the Irish one …
But if I win the Lotto …. I will go home, (I think).

Greetings Fellow ranters and observers!
I surmise … even vaguely fear … that the world is on the edge of some ghastly global conflict.
The polarisation along traditional Western & Middle Eastern lines with significant religious and colour delineation clearly identify the main parties (the Arabs & the Aryans?? oil-rich & the oil poor?? the former colonisers & the formerly colonised??)
My grandfather (Boer War & WW1) and an uncle (WW2, Malaya etc) were professional soldiers, my father and other uncles were WW2 soldiers, I was a convoy escort in a small bush war in the 70’s. The chances that my children will not be called to serve are dwindling.
Once differences are identified …. it becomes us & them, compromise & middle ground diminish. Conscientious objectors fail to support the cause & just hamper the propaganda of the right side, so Pollyanna ranters & Necktie revolutionaries will be conscripted, interned or shot. Freedoms become unsustainable distractions.
I understand that! Speed, centralisation & efficiency of decision making are essential at such times. War is the way of all animals including mankind. Civilisation merely increases the scope of conflict and its attendant horrors …
What bleak thoughts & such a lack of faith in the power of love!
So how do we shut up the free speakers & cartoonists & flag burners & building bombers to allow the peacemakers to expand the compromise??

Greetings heroes of the revolution!
I honour & praise you & hope that your year will bring you new found joys & riches …. and the courage to face reality & do the right thing!
It must be something about New Year resolutions that brings out whining & blaming …..
Social interaction is like mixing new chemicals – the outcomes are unknown and often not understood & frequently only discovered long afterwards….
Does that meean we should not interact or attempt to influence our surroundings … because we don’t know what will happen? Or should we hide away and interact only with chemicals we know. (hic!)
Should Marco Polo have stayed at home, Jesus stuck to carpentry, Confucius to painting??
To take your self & your work & ideas to the world is a duty. You are unique & wonderful & change the world around you, just by being there.
Do more, change it for the good, challenge & test, entertain & build … don’t run away.